There’s something to be said for timing. Just in time for the release of Stuck with a Stiff, our bad ass cow, Beulah has decided to go on another one of her rampages.
D.D. recently talked about animal characters and how they can add another layer of flavor to a story. I couldn’t agree more. However, actually having to deal with their real world shenanigans is another story all together.
Since the release of Stuck with a Stiff, she’s led no less than four escapes. This weekend, we had to hook up the trailer and move her and a couple of her closest associates to a smaller pasture on the home farm where we could keep a better eye on them.
I’m not complaining. If it weren’t for this It was the contakerous behavior of the real life cow that made it possible for the fictional Beulah to see the light of day.
Despite all the trouble she’s caused us over the past few years, I’m happy that she’s provided the inspiration for a great non-human character for our story.
How about you all out there in WG2E Land? How often do you include a person or animal (or a part of their personality) you know in a story in a positive or negative light? As a debut author, I’m curious how characters in real life (human, bovine or otherwise) influence or inspire the characters in your stories.
“Since the release of Stuck with a Stiff, she’s led no less than four escapes” maybe she is going out to buy herself a copy of the book:) Love the escaping cow.
Hi, Lois!
That’s one possibility I hadn’t considered, but I’m not sure how she’d operate the e-reader with those hooves. You never know.
This post put a nostalgic smile on my face. In my book: ‘It’s a Long Way to Malta’, (free Thur/Fri) I really enjoyed writing the chapter entitled: ‘Cats, Snails and Prickly Pears’.
A short excerpt: ‘As I rounded the corner, I was confronted with an entertaining performance, as good as any little theater production that you’d pay money to see. Mammy-cat, surrounded by her baby-cats were organizing a little party, and it was a delight to behold. I worked out that it was dinnertime for cats, and all the locals were present and correct.
The elderly lady was hosting the banquet, and twenty guests – I counted them – of all shapes, sizes, colors and demeanors, were tucking into scrumptious grub, so delectable, I almost felt a bit ‘peckish’ myself. Her little Ford Fiesta was parked by the kerbside, from which she magically extracted tin after tin of ‘Kitty Cat’, ‘Paws’, ‘Whiskers’, and various packets of other delicious delicacies, piling it on twenty plastic plates that she had neatly laid out – it was akin to the ‘Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes. The only things she neglected to provide were serviettes, and I could see by the snouts and whiskers of some of the more gluttonous ones, that they could have done with them’.
Hi, Paddy.
Thanks for sharing. Cats make great characters because they so often have so much character in real life. Gotta love those felines.
Thanks for the smile! When I read “Real Life Characters” and was greeted with the large photo of the cow, I thought to myself that character doesn’t get much more real than that! Hope the new pasture works out for you both!
Hi, Tamara!
No. Unfortunately for me, Beulah is all too real. She does make a great character, though.
Beulah is indeed an inspiration, David, and I think she’ll take Ereading and Ebooks in her own quirky fun direction.
I have found that developing animal characters is a wonderful way to reach new readers bases. If you notice on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other social media sites too, it’s the animal scoop and images that get tons of conversations going.
Plus, it’s just plain fun!!!
Hi, D.D.!
Yep. I have to agree with that. Who doesn’t like animals. People you know can inspire too. Just ask a certain aunt who will remain nameless. *wink*
Yeah…LOL! It totally sucks to be u on that note…
I’m havin’ a ball with it though…very therapeutic…
LOL – animals are so fab, aren’t they? And I think they can add a new dimension. In my Amber Fox comedy mystery series, she has a cat called Marmalade and she always asks him life advice! My new children’s book that I’m working on is all from the perspective of a group of cats.
Hi, Sibel.
They certainly are. That sounds like a great idea for a story. Best of luck with your feline tail, er, tale.
I include quirks of real people and real animals all the time, in every story. The romance I’m about to release, “Pockets of Wildflowers”, is the first story I’ve written where the characters actually live on a farm. I’ve incorporated my own sheep, goats, chickens and horses into the mix.
Escaping animals is just one of those things. We’ve got a Toggenburg doe that has gotten through, over and under almost everything we’ve pinned her in. ‘Knock on wood’…she hasn’t escaped her ‘yard’ for about a week. It’s a record! She’s totally harmless though, so I’m not worried about her hurting one of the kids or another animal. And she never goes far, just to the oak tree, chives or blueberry bushes.
Animal (and not so animal) antics make great material for stories.
Hi, Diane.
Well said. I’m sure you must have plenty of material for your fiction with that menagerie of critters. We need to get your goat and Beulah together. On second thought, they might be even better at escaping if they got the chance to compare notes. Maybe we’ll just skip that idea.
Go, Beulah! I love independent characters and she certainly is one! I always use traits gleaned from people or animals I’ve known when creating characters. The real world is chock full of the weird and the wonderful. Thanks for sharing the latest on my favorite bovine, David!
Thanks, Alicia!
I agree that there is plenty of inspiration to be had from those around us, bipedal or otherwise. But I have to take issue with your “Go Beulah!” comment. She certainly doesn’t need any encouragement. LOL!
ZURI is all about an animal! A sweet & sad little rhino who is orphaned when she witnesses her mother’s murder by poachers. As ZURI begins, Renny Kudrow, Director of the Kihali Animal Orphanage in Kenya, has just hired a new vet, Starlite Higgins. When Zuri’s rescue almost fails because of Starlite’s sudden panic, Renny thinks he has made a mistake and he is convinced she is not up to the job.
Renny is a scientist, an expert in animal communication, but human communication? Not so much, thinks Starlite. He is prickly, remote, critical. Starlite, anxious to please and accustomed to professional success, is unable to win his approval. Despite the idyllic beauty of their surroundings, the loving peaceful animal and human kingdom of Kihali itself and the growing attraction both feel but deny, Renny and Starlite remain at odds.
As Zuri overcomes the trauma of her mother’s murder, Renny and Starlite face their own buried secrets. The dedicated scientist and the brave, resourceful vet fall in love with the irresistible Zuri and their own emotional walls fall away. Freed from the anchors of the past, they find it more and more difficult to resist their deep feelings for each other.
I got the idea for ZURI when I read articles about the cruelty of poaching and did lots of research. Did you know that rhino horn is now more valuable than gold? That the global illicit trade in wild animals is the 3rd largest (only weapons & drugs are larger)? That rhinos re nearsighted but have excellent hearing & superb memories? (Assets crucial to the plot & the little rhino’s triumphant ending.)
Stewart Williams did the powerful, evocative cover & the reviews, so far, are all 5-star!
Ooops! Forgot to include a ZURI link. Find her (& her human & animal friends) here:
http://www.amazon.com/ZURI-Africa-orphan-story-ebook/dp/B007YUZYMS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1335781176&sr=1-1
Hi, Ruth.
Congratulations on ZURI! It sounds like a wonderful story. I actually have a cousin who works undercover in the illegal animal trade. He’s seen a lot of crazy things. It’s so sad what people are willing to do for money.
Wishing you continued success.
The brilliance in using animals (and their traits) to tell stories goes back to ancient times. Where would we be without Aesop’s Fables, and those valuable lessons? On one hand, using an animal could be a clever way to save on lengthy character development and backstory. On the other hand, it’s fun to add in unexpected quirks and develop a new animal character. If you’re interested in a short article on why/how Aesop’s fables work so well, you can read it here.
http://wisdomofthetoga.com/articles/aesop-figment-of-the-imagination
Hi, Monica.
Thanks for sharing the link to the Aesop’s fables article. I hadn’t thought about saving lengthy character development, but it makes perfect sense. Thanks for that little nugget.
David thanks for this post where you finally introduce your “significant udder”. Sorry for the cheesy comment but you have to milk these puns for all they’re worth. My life experience as a livestock farmer in Iowa has had a huge impact on the animal characters incorporated in the books making up The Iowa Farmer’s trilogy. Humorous, smart, ornery and lovable creatures who often end up being some of our best friends. Look forward to reading you new book!
Hi, Bill.
Very cleaver. I’m not sure if you heard that groan all the way over there in Iowa, but I can assure you there was one. I think farm critters make for wonderful story fodder. They’re udderly irresistible.
I make it a rule never to include real people (unless it’s an occassional historical figure). But I have included favorite animals from time to time. It kind of immortalizes the animals that have meant so much to me.
And I had my own animal shenanigans this weekend as my horse who is adept at opening gates got out and went for a stroll down a busy road. Luckily almost everyone around me has horses and we’re all used to the drill. No less than three neighbors out controlling traffic while I captured the equine fugitive.
Hi, Vickie.
I agree with you in not including actual people as they are, but I think it’s okay to take bits and pieces from a few people you know to create a single intriguing character for a story.
Sounds like your horse has been the Beulah School for Barnyard Escape. I hope your horse is careful around all those cars. Wishing you the best of luck in keeping her safe.
I have dogs in both of my books, A Match for Lady Constance and A Sensible Lady. Particularly in A Sensible Lady, human characters’ interaction with the two dogs–a dying setter and a rambunctious spaniel–reveal character traits in the humans that might other wise be hidden. We’ve all known people who are so fastidious and self important that they cannot cope with wet paws or emotionally contained people who are endlessly caring and patient with a dog whose faculties are failing.
Hi, Judith.
Sounds like a wonderful way to incorporate animals into a story. You’re absolutely right when you point out the varying ways in which different people respond to animals. What a great way to draw out another part of a character’s personality.
Just wanted to say, thanks for the picture of Beulah. I just finished reading “Stuck with a Stiff” this morning. I enjoyed the book, but main story aside, I was totally enchanted by Beulah. It took me back to time spent on my grandparents’ farm and some of the more personable denizens that lived there. My question: Is Napoleon real and if so, can we see a picture of him too?
My son spends his spare time at his buddy’s farm and often comes home with tales of the naughty farm animals. He’s hilarious when he tells us stories, but alas, I have very little experience with animals to share with readers. So I never have animals in my stories but I love it when other writers include four legged creatures in their books.
Hey, David.
The vast majority of the characters in my soon-to-be-finished book are inspired by family members. I decided to write The Legend of Butterfield Farm primarily for my grandchildren, basing a character in the book on each of them and their parents. The character names are similar to their real names, so they know which character is based on them. It’s made the book very special to me (and to them, of course). Also prominent in the story is one of their beloved but rascally dogs who recently passed.
As a matter of fact, when finished, it will be whipped into shape by someone you know very well
Matt, The Edit Dude. By the way, Matt could have helped with your post today. I think he would have fished out the problem here:
“I’m not complaining. If it weren’t for this It was the contakerous behavior of the real life cow that made it possible for the fictional Beulah to see the light of day.”
Hope you don’t mind some gentle ribbing, my good man. I enjoyed your post very much. There’s nothing like a good cow story to lighten my day.
lol, i love your real life Beulah already! she must be a hoot in a book
and i guess that’s the answer for how i use animals in my book, like you, ie, the animal has touched me in real life, and i am inspired to include her, or him, in some good ole fiction
best wishes, david!
I adore animals, and reading about them. I’m a huge James Herriot fan.
When I was thinking about a series of mysteries, it seemed natural to make my sleuth an animal lover who takes in injured native animals, helps them, and releases them back into the wild.
Great post! I love Beulah, even though I know in real life, she causes you lots of problems. However, she makes a great character in your new book!